Schools to dismiss early!

In anticipation of the winter weather today, Oconee public schools are dismissing early. A spokeswoman says elementary school dismissal will be at 1 o’clock this afternoon, to be followed by the middle and high schools at 1:15.  Pickens County schools are dismissing at noon.  After-school activities throughout the Pickens School District are cancelled.  Here’s the thinking behind Oconee’s decision to wait until the 1 o’clock hour.  According to Dr. Mike Lucas, superintendent, prognosticators don’t expect snow until after 2 o’clock.  “With the 1:00 (elementary)/1:15 (middle/high) dismissal we will be able to finish student lunch, have a two hour window to notify parents and get kids home before much accumulation (if any), ” Lucas said.    Once students are dismissed, teachers and staff are free to leave, as well.